1911 Stanley Steamer Tourer

The Stanley Model 85 is a seven-passenger tourer that was first illustrated in the February 1912 issue of Motor magazine. Five examples were built from May through September 1911 and served as prototypes for the Model 87 that followed in 1912. The wheelbase of the Model 85 is not recorded; the Model 87, however, rested on a 134-inch wheelbase platform and weighed 2,600 pounds. The Model 85 was priced at $2,250 which made it nearly as expensive as the $2,300 Model 86 Mountain Wagon in the Stanley Motor Carriage Company catalog.

All of the Model 85 Stanleys that exist today are modern recreations. This example was built by Carl S. Amsley in St. Thomas, Pennsylvania, in the early 1990s. It was acquired by its current caretaker in 1994, and after receiving an Antique Automobile Club of America First Junior award, it completed a Michigan tour in 1995. The well-mainted vehicle has re-conditioned wood-spoke wheels, a re-painted undercarriage, gold striping, a folding windshield, and the seats are upholstered in black buttoned leather. There is a New Haven eight-day key-wind clock with a second hand and a Stewart 65-mph speedometer. The headlights are nickel-plated Rushmore Searchlight units augmented by nickeled kerosene sidelamps. A Neverout kerosene lamp is mounted on the steering column.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024